Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Week in Beer: Giving Thanks for Good Brew

Detroit Lions fans can watch their favorite team lose while drinking good beer for a change: Liberty Street joins other Michigan brewers at Ford Field. Photo credit: Liberty Street Brewing.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and there's a cornucopia of beers and events this week that we can be grateful for. As you head into the busy holiday season, bracing yourself for relatives, shopping excursions, cleaning, decorating, and all the rest of the season's trappings, be sure to take some time out to enjoy one of life's true pleasures: good beer.

Thursday, November 15

» Beer and card games have always gone together well. Ann Arborite Nick Helmholdt had the great idea to really put them together and thus was born Pint Craft, a card game about beer. See a live demo of the game tonight at 6pm at the Vault of Midnight, 219 S. Main. If you like what you see, consider pledging to Nick’s Kickstarter fund to underwrite production and distribution of Pint Craft: It’s already more than 75% of the way to its $12,000 goal. And follow Pint Craft on Facebook for the latest and greatest.

» Ashley’s, 338 S. State, has long been the go-to place locally for good Belgian beer (do I repeat myself?). Tonight at 6 p.m., they’re participating in the nationwide Coast to Coast Toast to celebrate Belgium’s King’s Day and the 31st anniversary of Belgian beer importers Vanberg & DeWulf. The featured beer is Saison Dupont, and Ashley’s is offering $1 off each glass of this delicious liquid. Vanberg & Dewulf and various other sponsors, including Untappd.com, are also offering a chance to win a trip for to Belgium. You can enter here and here.

Friday, November 16

» It’s Arrogant Bar Week, or some such thing, which means time to drink some beers from Stone Brewing. Ashley’s is tapping four different Stone beers beginning at 6, including Arrogant Bastard Ale, Lukcy Basartd Ale, Double Bastard Ale, and Stone 16th Anniversary Double IPA. Hope you like hops!

Sunday, November 18

» Heading to the Lions game (you poor bastard)? Watch your favorite team lose in style, as Liberty Street Brewing’s Joe Walters and Jim Satterfield prowl the stadium offering some quality LSBC beers to comfort dejected fans. That’s right, Ford Field has officially been “Liberated” (see what I did there) from the crap beer empire with the addition of Michigan craft brews including Liberty Street’s. Viva la revolucion!

Tuesday, November 20

» The fireworks happen tonight beginning at 6 p.m. with a Friends of Ashley’s and Founders Appreciation Night. The final lineup of beers is still being determined, but there are some serious cult beers amongst the taps: KBS Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout, Nemesis Barleywine (2010 vintage), Backwoods Bastard Ale, and Founders’ just-released 15th anniversary beer, Bolt Cutter Barleywine. Get ready to elbow old ladies out of the way to get your fix, and check the rest of the known lineup here.

Wednesday, November 21

» If you picked up a ticket for the limited release of Batch 100 beer (as of this writing, some are still available) from Witch’s Hat Brewing, 22235 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon, today’s the day to pick up your bottle. Only 100 bottles of this Citra and Michigan-grown Cascade dry-hopped version of Train Hopper IPA were released. Note: Today is the only day to pick up bottles, so make sure you get there.

» It’s that time of year again, when Arbor Brewing’s Terminator Doppelbock returns to terminate your tastebuds. Head to 114 E. Washington at 6 p.m. for the official release party, where there will be plenty of this seasonal malty brew to keep you warm. Light snacks, discounts on to-go beer and merchandise, and Termination await you. Free for Arbor and Corner Brewery Mug Club members; $10 for the rest of y’all.

The cursed space formerly occupied by Packard Pub (640 Packard at State) will in 2013 become home to the third location for Detroit’s R.U.B. BBQ Pub. Of particular interest: 50+ draft beers and 200 bottles, including many Michigan beers. Good luck, guys!

As mentioned previously in this space, Ypsilanti’s Unity Vibration Kombucha Tea/”Beer” is looking to expand its operations and wants your help! AnnArbor.com’s Katrease Stafford has more details on owners Rachel and Tarek Kanaan’s plans.

In other Witch’s Hat news, today is the release of a new Belgian IPA for Mug Club members, and tomorrow the hoi polloi will be able to try it, too. As of this writing, your correspondent has no further information on this beer. Some research may be warranted… Also, Witch’s Hat is taking reservations for its Dec. 5 beer dinner with Katherine’s Catering. Tickets are $40 for the four-course feast, and see the full menu here (scroll down). Space is limited; call 248-486-2595.

The new Gulo Room will soon be available for rent at Wolverine State Brewing, 2019 W. Stadium. Contact the Beer Wench with your holiday or other party plans and she will hook you up, yo: etcrowe@wolverinebeer.com. Oh, and coming in 2013: Wolverine Gulo Gulo India Pale Lager in bottles.